Hector
The name Hector derives from the Greek verb meaning to hold or possess. This root suggests a man who holds fast during siege or one who possesses princely status. Archaeological evidence shows the name existed during Mycenaean times on a Linear B tablet. A servant named in that tablet bears the spelling of this ancient name. Moses I. Finley proposed the Homeric hero was partly based on an earlier Theban hero of the same name. Ancient sources describe him as dark-skinned and stoutly built with wooly hair. Other accounts claim his complexion was fair with curly hair and attractive blinking eyes. These conflicting descriptions highlight how different cultures viewed the Trojan prince.
Hector wed Andromache at the gates of Troy while carrying their infant son Astyanax. The baby cried when startled by his father's gleaming bronze helmet. Hector removed the armor to embrace his wife and child before leaving for battle. He prayed aloud to Zeus that his son might become more glorious than himself. His parents King Priam and Queen Hecuba pleaded for him to take shelter within city walls. They knew Troy would fall and feared the gloomy fate awaiting his family. Andromache warned him that her husband would die if he left the safety of the ramparts. She spoke of slavery and death waiting for them in foreign lands. Hector comforted her with the idea that no one could take him until it was his time.
Hector killed Protesilaus during single combat at the start of the war. A prophecy stated the first Greek to land on Trojan soil would die immediately. Odysseus threw his shield out to trick the gods into sparing another warrior. Hector fought Ajax to a standstill when the sun began setting over the battlefield. Apollo intervened to end the duel after Ajax crushed Hector's shield with a rock. Later Hector donned Achilles' stolen armor to rally the Trojan forces against the Greeks. He smashed open a gate with a large stone while calling on troops to scale the wall. The Trojans set fire to Protesilaus' ship despite Ajax killing everyone who tried to bring fuel. Hector eventually laid hold of the vessel and ordered his men to burn it down.
Achilles chased Hector around the gates of Troy three times before turning to face him. Athena disguised as Deiphobus deceived Hector into thinking he had help from his brother. When Hector realized his supposed ally had vanished, he knew he was doomed. Achilles struck Hector around the collar bone where the stolen armor offered no protection. The wound allowed Hector to speak his final words before dying in the dust. He begged for an honorable funeral but received only threats of dogs devouring his flesh. Achilles slit Hector's heels and fastened a girdle through them to drag the body behind his chariot. For twelve days the corpse remained preserved by gods Aphrodite and Apollo despite mistreatment. King Priam finally ransomed the body after Hermes granted him safe passage to the Greek camp. Achilles returned the remains and promised a truce of twelve days for proper funeral rites.
Richmond Lattimore wrote that Hector forever captures the affection of modern readers more than Achilles. Emily Wilson describes Hector bringing on his own death through pursuit of martial glory. His dread of shame drove him to fight on frontlines instead of defending city walls. James M. Redfield sees Hector's fate as consequence of his aidos or fear of disgrace. Homer gave Hector human and moral excellences to compensate for lack of martial achievements according to John Scott. Steven Farron argues the incongruence between reputation and actual deeds is deliberate authorial choice. Many scholars view Hector as naturally unwarlike person driven to fight by circumstances rather than aggression. The poem includes rational explanation for decision not to defend from wall due to limited resources.
Virgil included dead Hector appearing in dream urging Aeneas to flee burning Troy. Dante placed Hector and his family in Limbo among virtuous non-Christians in Inferno. William Shakespeare used Hector's death to mark conclusion of Troilus and Cressida play. Roland's sword Durendal once belonged to Hector of Troy according to Orlando Furioso poem. Chang-rae Lee named a major character Hector who originally hails from Ilion New York. Lost play by 4th-century tragedian Astydamas described historian Plutarch as masterpiece equaling works of Sophocles. These adaptations show how later writers reinterpreted the Trojan prince across centuries of literature.
Common questions
What is the origin and meaning of the name Hector?
The name Hector derives from a Greek verb meaning to hold or possess. Archaeological evidence shows the name existed during Mycenaean times on a Linear B tablet.
Who were the parents of Hector and what was his family situation?
Hector's parents were King Priam and Queen Hecuba. He wed Andromache at the gates of Troy while carrying their infant son Astyanax.
How did Achilles kill Hector during the Trojan War?
Achilles struck Hector around the collar bone where the stolen armor offered no protection. The wound allowed Hector to speak his final words before dying in the dust.
Why did Hector choose to fight outside the city walls instead of defending them?
His dread of shame drove him to fight on frontlines instead of defending city walls. James M. Redfield sees Hector's fate as consequence of his aidos or fear of disgrace.
Which later authors included Hector in their literary works after Homer?
Virgil included dead Hector appearing in dream urging Aeneas to flee burning Troy. Dante placed Hector and his family in Limbo among virtuous non-Christians in Inferno.
All sources
18 references cited across the entry
- 1bookEtymological Dictionary of GreekR. S. P. Beekes — Brill — 2010
- 3bookDocuments in Mycenaean GreekCambridge University Press — 1973
- 4bookThe World of OdysseusMoses Finley — Viking Press — 1978
- 5inlineMalalas, Chronography 5.105.
- 7bookColour terms in Greek PoetryEleanor Irwin — Toronto, Hakkert — 1974
- 8webAeneas | Myth & FamilyWilliam Scovil Anderson — 2 November 2023
- 9bookThe Iliad of HomerHomer — University of Chicago Press — 2011
- 10bookBibliothecaPseudo-Apollodorus
- 11webWere some dreams in ancient Roman poetry the precursor to film?George Diepenbrock — 1 June 2015
- 12journalThe Character of Hector in the 'Iliad'S. Farron — 1978
- 13bookThe Iliad of HomerHomer — University of Chicago Press — 1951
- 14bookThe IliadHomer — W. W. Norton & Company — 2023
- 15bookNature and Culture in the Iliad: The Tragedy of HectorJames M. Redfield — Duke University Press — 1994
- 16harvnbFarron (1978) p. 55, note 55Farron — 1978
- 17bookThe Unity of HomerJohn Scott — Biblo and Tannen — 1965
- 18bookA History of Classical Greek Literature, Vol. I, Part IJohn Mahaffy — Macmillan — 1891